International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences-IJPBSTM (2019) 9 (3): 138-142 Online ISSN: 2230-7605, Print ISSN: 2321-3272 Research Article | Biological Sciences | Open Access | MCI Approved UGC Approved Journal Traditional Medicinal Plants of Siddavatam Forest Range, YSR District, Andhra Pradesh, India K. Venkatarami Reddy1 and S. Rajagopal Reddy2 1Department of Botany, SKR & SKR Government College for Women (A), Kadapa- 516001, Andhra Pradesh, India 2Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa – 516005, Andhra Pradesh, India Received: 19 Mar 2019 / Accepted: 29 Apr 2019 / Published online: 1 Jul 2019 *Corresponding Author Email: [email protected] Abstract The present investigation was carried out in Siddavatam forest range, YSR District, Andhra Pradesh, India to explore the use of medicinal plant species for various diseases and aliments. A total 34 traditional medicinal plants belonging to 32 genera and 25 families were identified. Altogether 34 types of ailments have been taken care of by using these plant species. Leaves were the most useful part as compared to other plant parts for the treatment of various ailments. With advent of human civilization various therapies have been developed. Ethnobotanical research is the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge pertaining to the medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind. The study emphasizes the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge. Keywords Traditional medicinal plants, Siddavatam forest range, YSR District, Andhra Pradesh. ***** INTRODUCTION ailments and diseases (Satyavathi et al, 2017). Plants are the basis of life on earth and central to Traditional knowledge is a record of human people livelihood. India is well known for significant achievement in comprehending the complexities of geographical diversity which favoured to different life and survival of human society. The information habitats and vegetation types. For day to day life, about medicinal properties of plants came plants have offered food, fodder, fuel wood, timber, traditionally through generation by word of mouth. dyes, latex, gums, fibres, shelter, fruits etc. Folklore and traditional knowledge is in the process Additionally, there are many plant species which of extinction due to disruption of forest covers and have continuously been used by the natives for uprooting of tribal population due to traditional medicines. Indian subcontinent is being industrialization. Ethnomedicinal studies are often inhabited by 53.8 million tribal people, representing significant in revealing locally important plant one of the greatest euphoria of Ethnobotanical species for discovering of crude drugs. Traditional wealth (Sajem and Gosai, 2006). Since time healing systems play an important role in immemorial tribal people use plants to cure various maintaining the physical and psychological wellbeing DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/ijpbs.2019.9.3.19 K. Venkatarami Reddy and S. Rajagopal Reddy 138 www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com ISSN: 2230-7605 (Online); ISSN: 2321-3272 (Print) Int J Pharm Biol Sci. of the vast majority of tribal people in India. Today 2015, Bhasha et al., 2017, Ramesh et al., 2017, continued deforestation and environmental Tanuja Sivaram et al, 2018, Sripriya and Ramesh Bau degradation in many areas of India depleting the Naik, 2019). However, the present study carried out medicinal plants and associated knowledge. during 2016-18 shows several new applications of Different workers have explored and documented medicinal plants. the ethnobotanical information from different parts of Andhra Pradesh. For the first time, Krishnamachari MATERIALS AND METHODS (1900) documented the use of leaves of Erythroxylon The present data is outcome of field studies carried monogynum and roots of Aloe vera as food during out during 2016-18. The information about medicinal paucity. The need for the integration of local plants was collected from tribals and non-tribals who traditional knowledge and conservation of natural practice and have experience in the use of resources receives more and more recognition phytomedicines. Out of 20 informants 12 are men (Posey, 1992). Moreover, an increased emphasis is and 8 are women, whose age ranged from 50 to 75 being placed on possible economic benefits years. Ethnobotanical data was collected through especially of the medicinal use of tropical forest interviews, discussions and own observations (Jain, products instead of pure timber harvesting (Pimbert 1977, 1981). Many remote areas were visited to and Pretty, 1955). The information about medicinal interact with the tribal people and gathered plants is available in many Indian literatures information. Several specimens of plants were (Nadakarani, 1954). Charakasamhitha and collected either with flower or fruit or with both. Sursuthasamhitha written by Charaka and Sursutha Each plant or its individual parts have their own respectively have information regarding traditional significance in traditional remedies. The information medicinal plants and their therapeutic values was compared with the published literature (Meera, 1958). The main focus of the present study (Madhusudhana Rao, 1989). The collected specimens is to ascertain the detailed information on the use of were identified with the help of Floras (Gamble JS plants and their therapeutic medicinal practices and Fischer CEC, 1915-35, Ellis JL, 1987, Mastan et al, among the people. 2015, Venkatesh Ramila et al 2015, Nagi Reddy et al 2018, Pullaiah et al, 2018). The voucher specimens STUDY AREA are deposited in Botany Herbarium, SKR & SKR Siddavatam forest range is a part of Sri Government College for Women (A), Kadapa. The Lankamalleswara wildlife sanctuary. The forest range plant species are arranged alphabetically with their is located central hilly areas of YSR District. The forest botanical names, followed by vernacular names, possesses diverse plant species. Endemic plants like family and medicinal uses. Pterocarpus santalinus, Indigofera barberi, Rhynchosia beddomei (Fabaceae), Cycas beddomei RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS (Cycadaceae) Shorea thumbaggaia The investigation revealed the medicinal properties (Dipterocarpaceae), Terminalia pallida of 34 species belonging to 32 genera under 25 (Combretaceae), Syzygium alternifolium families. The dominant families of ethnobotanical (Myrtaceae), Boswelia ovalifoliata (Burseraceae) are interest are Fabaceae (3 sps), Combretaceaee (3 sps), present in the study area. Biogeographylly, the type Solanaceae (2 sps), Capparaceae (2 sps), of forest is tropical dry deciduous (Champion and Asclepiadaceae (2 sps), Rutaceae (2 sps), and Seth, 1968). The area exhibits variety of geographical remaining families contributed one species. All these rocks and soils. The soils are different types. The area plant species are used by tribal and non-tribal people as typical monsoonal climate with three distinct to treat 34 diseases which include skin infections, season’s summer, rainy and winter, the variation in abdominal disorders, jaundice, septic’s, wounds, climate occurs. Within the forest range is the temple ulcer, fractures, bites, fever, cold, cough, dandruff, of Nityapujakona and many streams and canals pass pains, paralysis, sprains, diabetes, piles, leucorrhoea through forest range. The forest provides ample etc. Significant findings of this study are that most of scope and socio-cultural activities of the people in the plants collected in Siddavatam forest range are adjacent areas. Earlier, some ethnobotanical studies being reported for the first time. Majority of in YSR District were carried out by different workers remedies were taken orally followed by external (Reddy et al., 1991, Vedavathy et al., 1991, application. The remedies are prepared in the form Vedavathy, 1996, Reddy, 1995, Sudarsanam et al., of extract, decoction, paste, powder etc. It was 1995, Reddy et al., 1996, Reddy et al., 1997, Reddy et observed that traditional knowledge is related to the al., 2011, Umamaheswari et al., 2012, Bhasha et al., age and sex of an individual. Generally old age people International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences K. Venkatarami Reddy and S. Rajagopal Reddy 139 www.ijpbs.com or www.ijpbsonline.com ISSN: 2230-7605 (Online); ISSN: 2321-3272 (Print) Int J Pharm Biol Sci. have much information about medicinal plants due fast relieving medicines in the market. Most of the to their personal experience and interaction with reported preparations in the study area are drawn plants. Despite their high medicinal importance, the from single plant and rarely mixers. The results are use of traditional medicinal plants is declining day by presented in table. day which may be because of the availability of the Table S.No Botanical Name Local Name Family Medicinal uses Root paste mixed with Atalantia racemosa Wight & 1 Konda nimma Rutaceae pepper and used for cough Arn. and fever Paste prepared from stem 2 Argemone Mexicana L. Brahmadandi Papavaraceae bark used for skin infections Andrographis paniculata Decoction of leaves with 3 Nelavemu Acanthaceae (Burm.f.) Nees lemon cure jaundice Decoction of leaves used 4 Aristolochia indica L. Nalleswara Aristolochiaceae for indigestion 5 Leaf powder used for Boswellia serrata Roxb. Guggilam Burseraceae snake bite Seed paste with milk used 6 Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub Moduga Fabaceae for asthma Leaf paste used for 7 Calycopteris floribunda (Roxb.) Adavijama Combretaceae wounds Stem